Important Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan Changes

Monday January 5, 2009

As a result of OPM asking Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program carriers to reevaluate their benefits for non-emergency surgical procedures (including maternity) provided by non-participating providers for the 2009 contract term, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) revised their 2009 Standard Option benefit provision for non-emergency surgeries. No other carriers changed their non-emergency surgical benefits from what is described in their 2009 brochures.

Attachment I contains the letter and updated brochure changes that BCBS will send to all of their enrollees explaining this benefit change. The revised BCBS online brochure is at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/2009/brochures/71-005.pdf.

Attachment II includes revisions for the 2009 Guide to Federal Benefits brochure. The revised Guide is available at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/guides/index.asp.

Attachment III provides a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the belated enrollment opportunity being offered to all Federal employees.